Black Friday brings out the bargain hunters, but the big shopping day can also lure out crooks who prey on unsuspecting shoppers. So Peoria police officers are taking extra precaution to keep shoppers safe.
The Peoria Police Impact Team is on two wheels today to fight holiday crime this Black Friday. A group of officers are monitoring the busy shopping center off Bell Road and 83rd Avenue.
Peoria police are there to ward off crooks before they even strike. Surveillance cameras are able to survey the entire parking lot.
It's all a part of a mobile command center that's a big deterrent for thieves.
"More high visibility, if there are people who do want to do bad things they know, hey don't come here and do this because we're out here," says Peoria Police Officer John Banach.
Officer John Banach and the other officers are looking for people lingering in parking lots and looking into cars.
Shoppers that come out of stores with plenty of bags are easy targets for thieves.
"I didn't even think about that at all," says shopper Charlotte Trettel.
Charlotte Trettel and her younger sister Rebecca Lopez never imagined they would be targeted this holiday shopping season.
"We definitely feel safer knowing they are here, just seeing them around makes us feel safer as we are walking to our cars," says Trettel.
"Knowing that the police officers are around, it does make us feel better overall," says Lopez.
We've all seen the holiday decorations on homes all over the valley, but have you ever seen a house decorated by holiday houses? It's drawing big crowds in Chandler.
We've all seen the holiday decorations on homes all over the valley, but have you ever seen a house decorated by holiday houses? It's drawing big crowds in Chandler.
You better plan ahead - way ahead - for upcoming Black Friday sales this year, especially now that Walmart will open up stores at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Thursday.
You better plan ahead - way ahead - for upcoming Black Friday sales this year, especially now that Walmart will open up stores at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Thursday.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:30:45 GMT
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:52:45 GMT
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
A large crowd of supporters in the Bronx joined the parents of a slain teen to protest a judge's ruling Saturday. Constance Malcolm and Francelot Graham whose son Ramarley was killed back in February
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:11:43 GMT
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Saturday, May 18 2013 4:03 PM EDT2013-05-18 20:03:41 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:49 AM EDT2013-05-18 11:49:20 GMT
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
An airline official says a US Airways flight with 34 people aboard was forced to make a belly landing at Newark International Airport after experiencing landing gear trouble. No injuries were reported.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:53:52 GMT
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority has approved the master plan for the American Dream megamall in the Meadowlands sports complex. The approval at Friday's special board meeting means the
